Mqambi weNyembezi Vuka, Theatre Venue: Rehearsal Room, Monument Building Review By Zoliswa Mdawini How does it feel to grow up without a father? For some, this question might not matter. But for those who have walked that path, it brings up deep pain and confusion, especially for young boys trying to become men without a role model. The Xhosa play Mqambi weNyembezi Vuka brings this reality to life in a powerful and emotional way. The story follows a young boy whose father left home to be a soldier. When he returned 20 years later, he acted as if nothing had…
Author: Zoliswa MDAWINI
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Better Late, Comedy Venue: Amazwi South African Museum of Literature Review By Zoliswa Mdawini I never imagined national crises could be so hilarious, until I attended Better Late, the comedy show by Callum Hitchcock and Yaaseen Barness, joined by broadcaster Dan Corder from The Dan Corder Show. They turned chaos into comedy in the most unexpected and brilliant way. Corder and the “half-brothers” – yes, I’m calling them that because their comedic DNA clearly matches, even if they were raised on different punchlines. They touched on whatever the hell is going on in Makhanda. And of course, they brought up…
Breakfast with Mugabe, Theatre Venue: Rhodes Theatre Next performances: Sunday 6 July 10:00 Review By Zoliswa Mdawini Breakfast with Mugabe is a powerful and thought-provoking political play that explores the troubled mind of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. Directed by Calvin Ratladi, the 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist winner for Theatre, it is a multilingual psychological thriller that explores Mugabe’s complex personality, showing a man torn between power, guilt, and tradition. Mugabe is portrayed as a man who gives with one hand and takes with the other. His thirst for power awakens dark thoughts that haunt him. In this story,…
Mqambi weNyembezi Vuka, Theatre Venue: Rehearsal Room, Monument building Next performance: July 03, 2025 12:00 – 12:45 Preview By Zoliswa Mdawini ‘Ulwaluko’ is a traditional rite of passage that marks the transition from boyhood to manhood in isiXhosa culture. As part of this sacred process, boys undergo circumcision and spend time in isolation in the mountains where they are taught about the responsibilities of manhood and the customs and traditions of their culture and their respective tribe. This process prepares them for their future as men and enables them to be recognized and respected as men, among other men within their…
Sundowners, Concerts Next Show: 3 July 2025 17:00 Venue: Settlers Monument Review By Zoliswa Mdawini Not sure what to watch at the Festival? Sundowners could be your perfect guide! They’re a fun, long-standing Festival tradition where artists get to showcase their incredible talents. These free, daily concerts take place in a public space inside the Monument from 5 pm, giving you a taste of what’s on offer. “This is my second Festival, and I’m loving it just as much as the first time. Every experience is unique. That’s the great thing about the Festival,” says Zachary Esau from I Don’t…
Eastern Cape Literature Festival, Poetry Venue: Olive Schreiner Review By Zoliswa Mdawini “Ewe, le nto kakade yinto yalo nto. Thina, nto zaziyo, asothukanga nto; Sibona kamhlope, sithi bekumele,” – S.E.K Mqhayi Mqhayi’s influential works have kept his memory alive and have touched many souls. On Sunday, 29th June, poets from across the Eastern Cape province gathered at Olive Schreiner hall in the Monument building to celebrate the life and work of S.E.K. Mqhayi, ne of South Africa’s most celebrated iimbongi (praise poets). The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture organised the event to pay tribute to Mqhayi’s legacy and…
By Zoliswa Mdawini “Acting is the study of human behaviour. It’s a science. There’s a methodology. There’s a way of doing it right and a way of not doing it right.” This was one of the pearls that Dr John Kani strung at an advanced masterclass in acting at the Eastern Cape Literature Festival on Saturday. Kani pointed out common mistakes young actors make. He said they focus on how many lines or scenes their character appears in, rather than understanding the whole story. He says that truly understanding a script takes more than just reading it once or twice.…
By Zoliswa Mdawini “When I speak, when I act, when I think, when I feel like Musuthu [Sotho people], there’s very little work I have to do, because I know who I am,” said legendary actor Jerry Mofokeng at the opening of the 2025 Eastern Cape Literature Festival at the Monument on Friday. Mofokeng co-hosted a powerful, almost three-hour discussion with Dr John Kani on the importance of writing and reading in our home languages. Mofokeng accented the authenticity that comes with writing in one’s own language. He challenged the audience to think about why Black South Africans often feel…
By Zoliswa Mdawini Managing finances is challenging for many, especially artists whose incomes depend on unpredictable, project-based work. In response, the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture (DSRAC) hosted a financial literacy workshop during the Eastern Cape Literature Festival to empower artists with practical knowledge to manage their money wisely. This initiative comes after growing concern from the department about the number of artists who face financial hardship after retirement. “Artists often work without a stable monthly income,” said Nomatolo Nokukhanya Manjezi, Market Activation Specialist at Metropolitan. “That’s why they must learn to stretch their earnings, whether investing, saving,…
Eastern Cape Literature Festival. Literature Venue: Olive Schreiner Hall, Monument Next performance: 28 June 10:00 Preview By Zoliswa Mdawini The Eastern Cape Literature Festival will again take centre stage at the 2025 National Arts Festival. With so many years in the game, they boldly moved to do things differently and better this year with a robust line-up of authors, storytellers, and artists. This Literature Festival celebrates the Eastern Cape’s rich literary and cultural heritage. The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) aims not only to celebrate Eastern Cape storytellers but also to educate and empower them with an…